If you've ever wondered where popular catch phrases and slang comes from or why men's beards go in and out of fashion, then this book is for you. How often do you come across a book that can explain most everything? Much of today's news has a basis in prior historical events. The internet IPO market shares striking similarities to the Dutch "tulip mania" of the 1600's. The conflict in the Middle East can trace its roots to the Crusades. The recent satanic child abuse trials are reminiscent of the European witch trials of the 1400s-1600s. This complete two-volume edition demonstrates that the madness and confusion of crowds knows no limits, and has no temporal bounds.

Here are astonishing and entertaining tales of thievery, greed and madness. This informative, funny collection encompasses a broad range of manias and deceptions from haunted houses and the prophecies of Nostradamus to speculative excess. Charles MacKay explains it all in this classic edition.